"Somebody who is sending suicide bombers to kill innocent Israelis is a legitimate target for the government of Israel[...]" -Gideon Meir, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesthing.

Probably the most concise and sensible expression of why Rantisi had to die, and Yassin as well. As long as Hamas thinks that suicide bombers is the way to go, their leaders deserve whatever they get. In a way, the attacks have already had effect.